Beer can ban, prowlers in De Pere | Agenda

Shoppers at Manitowoc grocery stores may soon be able to use general checkouts — as opposed to liquor department checkouts — to make liquor purchases.(Photo: Adam Wesley/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

GREEN BAY - A proposed ban on single sales of beer is back on the table.

Green Bay's protection and welfare committee is scheduled to take up the issue first thing this week. It's likely to be one of the more controversial measures taken up by area local governments. Other issues coming up include a possible new law against prowling in De Pere, funding for Colburn pool and permitting the Packers Tailgate Village event space.

Here's a closer look at what's happening.

Beer can ban

Six months ago, Green Bay Alderman Guy Zima proposed banning the sale of single cans or bottles of beer and small bottles of alcohol within city limits.

He said the ban would reduce litter problems, panhandling and alcohol-related crimes. The idea is to make it harder for alcoholics to buy cheap drinks, such as 40-ounce cans of beer.

Police Chief Andrew Smith wasn't convinced, and he requested half a year to prove his officers can cut down on those problems around downtown through increased enforcement efforts.

Smith is expected to report on his efforts to the City Council's protection and welfare committee Monday. The committee may then reconsider approving Zima's proposal.

The committee will also vote on several requests for new beer, wine and liquor sales licenses, including one for a new Kwik Trip at 515 W. Walnut St.

Zima has recently vowed to opposed any new liquor licenses at gas stations. The committee last month asked city staff to collect data on whether banning liquor sales at gas stations could reduce violations or alcohol-related crimes.

East Town Cub Foods

The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority will vote on a developers' agreement with Learsi and Co., Inc., for the redevelopment of the former East Town Cub Foods property at 2280 E. Mason St.

Learsi plans to reconfigure the 60,000 square-foot property into retail space with four to five tenants. The development would increase the site's assessed value from $1.8 million to $5.5 million. The higher value would generate $81,800 per year in new property tax revenue.

The proposed agreement would reimburse Learsi 75 percent of the property tax revenue, or about $61,000 annually, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Colburn pool costs

The Green bay City Council last week tasked its finance committee with figuring out a way to pay for a 50-meter pool at Colburn Park after the 12 members failed to come to a consensus on how to pay for the project.

The city must find an additional $2.3 million to move forward with the project, which is running 65 percent over its original budget of $4.5 million.

Bids from five contractors ranged from $5.8 million to $6.3 million. Additional infrastructure and contingency costs would add another $760,000 to the total project, bringing total costs to somewhere between $6.5 million and $7.1 million, depending on who is hired.

Prowlers in De Pere

De Pere police have requested the City Council consider a new ordinance prohibiting prowling, which they define as anyone who goes stealthily about with an unlawful intention.

City officers have run into problems where they respond to prowling incidents but are limited to treating them as trespassing complaints. The trespassing ordinance only allows police to take enforcement action after the person has been warned by the owner or if there is evidence of a crime, according to a memo written by Chief Derek Beiderwieden.

The proposed prowler ordinance would let police begin investigating the prowler without an initial warning by the property owner.

Beiderwieden has also asked for a new ordinance giving police authority to fine people who chronically misuse the 911 system.

Other noteworthy issues

» Green Bay's protection and welfare committee on Monday will consider a request by Zima to require licensed taxi cabs to line up on the north side of Lombardi Avenue between Ridge Road and Oneida Street to help clear people after Packer games.

» The Green Bay Plan Commission on Monday will vote on a conditional-use permit for the Green Bay Packers to construct its Tailgate Village,a venue for food and drink, live music, autograph signings and other activities at 1940 S. Oneida St.

» Green Bay's park committee on Wednesday will consider several requests for using the remaining $1.8 million in excess stadium tax money, which was set aside for infrastructure and capital projects. Requests include money for replacing City Hall elevators, contributing toward the National Railroad Museum's expansion projects, installing bathrooms at Red Smith Park, building an education center at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary and improvements at Whitney Park.